When it was originally released, Marvin Gaye’s album I Want You was often lambasted by critics, but later re-assessments turned it into the classic that it was. Now, as a 50th anniversary tribute, Universal Music is reissuing the album as multiple vinyl releases.
The first highlight is a premium Vinylphyle reissue of the original album, the latest entry in a series of critically acclaimed audiophile releases. As with all releases in the Vinylphyle series, lacquers were cut from the original analog tapes and pressed at 180 g at RTI. The packaging features a tip-on gatefold jacket with the now-iconic cover by Ernie Barnes, reproductions of the original tape boxes, and liner notes by producer and songwriter Salaam Remi.
The celebration continues with I Want You 2, a special 2-LP set featuring bonus tracks, alternate takes, and rarities first issued on CD in 2003. Pressed on 180g vinyl, the packaging houses an exclusive lithograph and introductory liner notes by R&B artist and songwriter Arin Ray.
Talking about the reissues, Salaam Remi notes: “I’ve been listening to I Want You repeatedly in different ways for most of my life and have gotten a perspective of it over time. I realized this album is when I realized my adulthood… [it] gives me all the things I look for in music.”
